Taylor & Thomas — a celebration of love, Irish traditions and the beauty of a historic castle.
Set in the beautiful countryside of County Kildare, Taylor and Thomas’s Kilkea Castle wedding brought together around thirty of their closest family members and friends. They chose an intimate destination wedding filled with meaningful traditions, personal details and genuine moments, with the historic castle providing a remarkable backdrop.
THE WEDDING STORY
A Wedding Rooted in Irish Tradition
There is something particularly special about an intimate wedding in a place as historic as Kilkea Castle. The architecture creates a beautiful sense of occasion, yet a smaller gathering allows the atmosphere to remain wonderfully relaxed and personal.
Taylor and Thomas incorporated a traditional Celtic handfasting into their ceremony, bringing a meaningful connection to Irish heritage. The music of a harpist added another beautiful dimension to the occasion, making it feel both elegant and deeply personal.
With their closest people around them, the day offered space for natural interactions, quiet emotions and the unscripted moments that often become the most meaningful photographs.
PLANNING & STYLING
Thoughtfully Planned by Kate Deegan
Wedding planner Kate Deegan helped bring Taylor and Thomas’s celebration together, taking care of the planning, flowers and decorative details. Her thoughtful approach complemented the character of Kilkea Castle while keeping the focus on the couple and the experience they wanted to share with their guests.
As a photographer, I appreciate the difference that careful planning makes. When the details are considered and the schedule allows a little breathing room, couples can enjoy their wedding without feeling constantly directed or rushed.
What I love about photographing weddings in Irish castles is the contrast between their historic surroundings and the very personal stories unfolding within them. Kilkea Castle offers beautiful architecture and a distinctive sense of place, but the most memorable photographs are rarely about the setting alone.
Taylor and Thomas’s wedding was a lovely reminder of that. The Celtic traditions, the music, the intimate gathering and the genuine connection between their guests gave the celebration its own character.
Based in Sligo, I photograph weddings throughout Ireland, including County Kildare and the wider Dublin region. My approach combines documentary storytelling with an appreciation for the light, architecture and atmosphere of each venue.
Kilkea Castle is one of several Irish wedding venues where I have photographed celebrations involving Kate Deegan. From intimate castle weddings to elegant historic estates, each occasion has its own story, supported by thoughtful planning, flowers and styling.
From the historic beauty of Kilkea Castle in County Kildare to remarkable wedding venues throughout the country, Ireland offers an extraordinary variety of castle settings. If you are exploring different locations for your celebration, I have put together a guide to twenty castle wedding venues in Ireland.
